Cooperative Education and Internship
ConocoPhillips - Houston, TX - Summer 2014
Environmental Engineer - HSE Gulf Coast Business Unit
ConocoPhillips (COP) is the world’s largest independent exploration and production company, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. As a company, employees explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. A commitment to safety, operating excellence and environmental stewardship guides ConocoPhillips operations. Every Business Unit (BU) has their own Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) group. During my internship, I was the Environmental Engineer for the Gulf Coat Business Unit.
My main project was to create a Tool-Box to standardize documentation of remedial actions for on-shore spills across the company. This project came to be after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested COP to present information regarding the response measures for two onshore spills that occurred in 2009 and 2011 and the BU was unable to present detailed documentation regarding the response and clean-up efforts. Prior to my project there was no consistent manner in which remedial actions were documented and reported throughout the company. During my final presentation, my tool caught the attention of upper management within HSE since it improves management of environmental liability. My project got taken over by a corporate team to implement company wide.This project gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in environmental science and collaborate with other disciplines.
Other minor tasks involved:
I also spent several weeks on Eagle Ford assets and observed several operations such as drilling, hydraulic fracturing, plug-and-perf, and wire-line work. From this experience, I learned about several subjects at an “Awareness” level including: soil and water remediation following spills, water management and protection of aquifers, disposal and treatment of cuttings, interpretation of standards set by governmental agencies, disposal of flowback material with radioactive tracers, and available soil screening tools.
My main project was to create a Tool-Box to standardize documentation of remedial actions for on-shore spills across the company. This project came to be after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested COP to present information regarding the response measures for two onshore spills that occurred in 2009 and 2011 and the BU was unable to present detailed documentation regarding the response and clean-up efforts. Prior to my project there was no consistent manner in which remedial actions were documented and reported throughout the company. During my final presentation, my tool caught the attention of upper management within HSE since it improves management of environmental liability. My project got taken over by a corporate team to implement company wide.This project gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in environmental science and collaborate with other disciplines.
Other minor tasks involved:
- Updating waste management guidelines to include disposal methods of flowback material with radioactive tracers as required by government agencies
- Creating a document comparing soil screening tools, such as TPH Soil Analyzers and Photionization Detectors, to determine which tool is most suitable to test for compliance following remediation work
I also spent several weeks on Eagle Ford assets and observed several operations such as drilling, hydraulic fracturing, plug-and-perf, and wire-line work. From this experience, I learned about several subjects at an “Awareness” level including: soil and water remediation following spills, water management and protection of aquifers, disposal and treatment of cuttings, interpretation of standards set by governmental agencies, disposal of flowback material with radioactive tracers, and available soil screening tools.
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DNV GL - Katy, TX - Fall 2013
Associate Consultant - Energy Solutions
Established in 1864, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), now known as DNV GL, is an independent foundation working with the objective of "safeguarding life, property, and the environment." DNV is a leading provider of safety and reliability services, where classification, verification and consulting services are key activities. DNV's Energy Solutions Department provides world-class expertise in risk management services to a wide variety of Oil & Gas clients to safeguard and improve their business.
My Co-Op with DNV took place at DNV's Energy Solutions office in Katy within Health, Safety, and Environmental Risk Management Section. I was part of the Safety Risk Analysis team. Some of the key activities of an Associate Consultant at DNV include:
During my time at DNV, I have learned how to use some of the software and tools mentioned above to identify, measure, manage and prevent risk. Most importantly, I had the chance be a part of diverse international and domestic projects that allowed me to engage in service and business development. This experience has given me the opportunity to be a part of a culturally diverse and highly experienced network, which has enhanced my communication and leadership skills. I mostly supported Risk Consultants on several projects involving facility design optimization, risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation, and proposal composition. I learned about risk calculations, risk parameters, Bowties, performing Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOPs), evaluating Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMSs). The document below discusses my specific projects and skills obtained.
My Co-Op with DNV took place at DNV's Energy Solutions office in Katy within Health, Safety, and Environmental Risk Management Section. I was part of the Safety Risk Analysis team. Some of the key activities of an Associate Consultant at DNV include:
- Asset Risk Management - Applying cutting edge reliability and integrity technologies / methodologies, such as MAROS and TARO, to optimize facility design, operations, and maintenance.
- Safety Health and Environment - Identifying and estimating risk using Phast Risk, BowTie XP, FaultTree, Visio, Excel and other tools. Using process and industry knowledge and research to identify possible measures to decrease risk if necessary to enhance safety and environmental performance.
During my time at DNV, I have learned how to use some of the software and tools mentioned above to identify, measure, manage and prevent risk. Most importantly, I had the chance be a part of diverse international and domestic projects that allowed me to engage in service and business development. This experience has given me the opportunity to be a part of a culturally diverse and highly experienced network, which has enhanced my communication and leadership skills. I mostly supported Risk Consultants on several projects involving facility design optimization, risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation, and proposal composition. I learned about risk calculations, risk parameters, Bowties, performing Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOPs), evaluating Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMSs). The document below discusses my specific projects and skills obtained.
alejandra_europa_co-op_report_-_fall_2013_final.pdf | |
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